Contractor killed in accident at Nickel Industries’ ENC project

By Romel S. Gurky

Nickel miner and processor Nickel Industries Limited said on Wednesday a contractor was killed in an accident during construction activities linked to its Excelsior Nickel Cobalt (ENC) project in Central Sulawesi.

The fatality involved a contractor engaged by PT Fajar Metal Industry (FMI) for the construction of transmission lines supporting slurry plant and dry-stacked tailings infrastructure at the ENC project. The accident occurred on a haul road within the Hengjaya Mine, where the transmission lines are being erected.

The company said it is cooperating with Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) in investigating the incident. FMI is also working with authorities as part of the inquiry.

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Nickel Industries extended condolences to the contractor’s family and said support is being provided.

The ENC project, located within the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park, is a high-pressure acid leach (HPAL) development in which Nickel Industries holds a 46% stake. The project is designed to produce around 72,000 tonnes per year of contained nickel equivalent across products including mixed hydroxide precipitate, nickel sulphate and nickel cathode, targeting the electric vehicle battery supply chain.

Nickel Industries also holds an 80% stake in PT Hengjaya Mineralindo, which owns the Hengjaya Mine, with the remaining interest held by its Indonesian partner.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak